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2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Updated: 1/7/2026, 2:02:26 PM Wikipedia source

The 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup is the 7th edition of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, the biennial international youth football championship organised by the AFC for the men's under-23 national teams of Asia. A total of 16 teams are playing in the final tournament. Players born on or after 1 January 2003 are eligible to participate. The tournament is taking place from 6 to 24 January 2026 and it is hosted by Saudi Arabia, who was selected for hosting the upcoming 2027 AFC Asian Cup. 16 teams are competing in the tournament. Qualification took place in September 2025. Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon qualified for the first time. This is the final non-Olympic edition of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup with the competition becoming quadrennial. Japan are the defending champions, having defeated Uzbekistan in the 2024 final.

Infobox

Host country
Saudi Arabia
Dates
6–24 January
Teams
16 (from 1 confederation)
Venue
4 (in 2 host cities)
Attendance
5,301 (2,651 per match)
Top scorer(s)
Rakan Al-Ghamdi Nguyễn Đình Bắc Nguyễn Hiểu Minh(1 goal each)
Goals scored
3 (1.5 per match)
Matches played
2

Tables

· Qualification › Qualified teams
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
Team
Saudi Arabia
Method ofqualification
Hosts
Date ofqualification
1 July 2023
Total timesqualified
7
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Winners (2022)
Jordan
Jordan
Team
Jordan
Method ofqualification
Group A winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
7
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Third place (2013)
Japan
Japan
Team
Japan
Method ofqualification
Group B winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
7
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Winners (2016, 2024)
Vietnam
Vietnam
Team
Vietnam
Method ofqualification
Group C winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
6
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Runners-up (2018)
Australia
Australia
Team
Australia
Method ofqualification
Group D winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
7
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Third place (2020)
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Team
Kyrgyzstan
Method ofqualification
Group E winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
1
Last timequalified
Previous bestperformance
Thailand
Thailand
Team
Thailand
Method ofqualification
Group F winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
6
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Quarter-finals (2020)
Iraq
Iraq
Team
Iraq
Method ofqualification
Group G winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
7
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Winners (2013)
Qatar
Qatar
Team
Qatar
Method ofqualification
Group H winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
6
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Third place (2018)
Iran
Iran
Team
Iran
Method ofqualification
Group I winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
5
Last timequalified
2022
Previous bestperformance
Quarter-finals (2016)
South Korea
South Korea
Team
South Korea
Method ofqualification
Group J winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
7
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Winners (2020)
Syria
Syria
Team
Syria
Method ofqualification
Group K winners
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
5
Last timequalified
2020
Previous bestperformance
Quarter-finals (2013, 2020)
China
China
Team
China
Method ofqualification
Best runners-up
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
6
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Group stage (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2024)
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Team
Uzbekistan
Method ofqualification
Second-best runners-up
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
7
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Winners (2018)
Lebanon
Lebanon
Team
Lebanon
Method ofqualification
Third-best runners-up
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
1
Last timequalified
Previous bestperformance
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
Team
United Arab Emirates
Method ofqualification
Fourth-best runners-up
Date ofqualification
9 September 2025
Total timesqualified
6
Last timequalified
2024
Previous bestperformance
Quarter-finals (2013, 2016, 2020)
Team
Method ofqualification
Date ofqualification
Total timesqualified
Last timequalified
Previous bestperformance
Saudi Arabia
Hosts
1 July 2023
7
2024
Winners (2022)
Jordan
Group A winners
9 September 2025
7
2024
Third place (2013)
Japan
Group B winners
9 September 2025
7
2024
Winners (2016, 2024)
Vietnam
Group C winners
9 September 2025
6
2024
Runners-up (2018)
Australia
Group D winners
9 September 2025
7
2024
Third place (2020)
Kyrgyzstan
Group E winners
9 September 2025
1
Thailand
Group F winners
9 September 2025
6
2024
Quarter-finals (2020)
Iraq
Group G winners
9 September 2025
7
2024
Winners (2013)
Qatar
Group H winners
9 September 2025
6
2024
Third place (2018)
Iran
Group I winners
9 September 2025
5
2022
Quarter-finals (2016)
South Korea
Group J winners
9 September 2025
7
2024
Winners (2020)
Syria
Group K winners
9 September 2025
5
2020
Quarter-finals (2013, 2020)
China
Best runners-up
9 September 2025
6
2024
Group stage (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2024)
Uzbekistan
Second-best runners-up
9 September 2025
7
2024
Winners (2018)
Lebanon
Third-best runners-up
9 September 2025
1
United Arab Emirates
Fourth-best runners-up
9 September 2025
6
2024
Quarter-finals (2013, 2016, 2020)
· Venues
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City
Jeddah
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City
Jeddah
King Abdullah Sports City Hall
Capacity: 24,042
Capacity: 24,042
Jeddah
Capacity: 24,042
Jeddah
Capacity: 3,853
Riyadh
Riyadh
Jeddah
Riyadh
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City
Jeddah
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City
Jeddah
Al-Shabab Club Stadium
Capacity: 22,838
Capacity: 22,838
Jeddah
Capacity: 22,838
Jeddah
Capacity: 12,100
Jeddah
html.skin-theme-clientpref-os od,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os od > }JeddahRiyadhclass=notpageimage| Location of the host cities of the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City
King Abdullah Sports City Hall
Capacity: 24,042
Capacity: 3,853
Riyadh
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City
Al-Shabab Club Stadium
Capacity: 22,838
Capacity: 12,100
· Draw
Saudi Arabia (hosts) Uzbekistan Japan Iraq
Saudi Arabia (hosts) Uzbekistan Japan Iraq
Pot 1
Saudi Arabia (hosts) Uzbekistan Japan Iraq
Pot 2
South Korea Vietnam Australia Qatar
Pot 3
Thailand Jordan United Arab Emirates Iran
Pot 4
China Syria Kyrgyzstan Lebanon
Pot 1
Pot 2
Pot 3
Pot 4
Saudi Arabia (hosts) Uzbekistan Japan Iraq
South Korea Vietnam Australia Qatar
Thailand Jordan United Arab Emirates Iran
China Syria Kyrgyzstan Lebanon
· Group stage › Group A
1
1
Pos
1
Team
Vietnam
Pld
1
W
1
D
0
L
0
GF
2
GA
0
GD
+2
Pts
3
Qualification
Advance to knockout stage
2
2
Pos
2
Team
Saudi Arabia (H)
Pld
1
W
1
D
0
L
0
GF
1
GA
0
GD
+1
Pts
3
3
3
Pos
3
Team
Kyrgyzstan
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
0
GA
1
GD
−1
Pts
0
4
4
Pos
4
Team
Jordan
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
0
GA
2
GD
−2
Pts
0
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification
1
Vietnam
1
1
0
0
2
0
+2
3
Advance to knockout stage
2
Saudi Arabia (H)
1
1
0
0
1
0
+1
3
3
Kyrgyzstan
1
0
0
1
0
1
−1
0
4
Jordan
1
0
0
1
0
2
−2
0
· Group stage › Group B
1
1
Pos
1
Team
Japan
Pld
1
W
1
D
0
L
0
GF
5
GA
0
GD
+5
Pts
3
Qualification
Advance to knockout stage
2
2
Pos
2
Team
Qatar
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
3
3
Pos
3
Team
United Arab Emirates
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
4
4
Pos
4
Team
Syria
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
0
GA
5
GD
−5
Pts
0
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification
1
Japan
1
1
0
0
5
0
+5
3
Advance to knockout stage
2
Qatar
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
United Arab Emirates
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
Syria
1
0
0
1
0
5
−5
0
· Group stage › Group C
1
1
Pos
1
Team
Uzbekistan
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Qualification
Advance to knockout stage
2
2
Pos
2
Team
South Korea
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
3
3
Pos
3
Team
Iran
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
4
4
Pos
4
Team
Lebanon
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification
1
Uzbekistan
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Advance to knockout stage
2
South Korea
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
Iran
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
Lebanon
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
· Group stage › Group D
1
1
Pos
1
Team
Iraq
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Qualification
Advance to knockout stage
2
2
Pos
2
Team
Australia
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
3
3
Pos
3
Team
Thailand
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
4
4
Pos
4
Team
China
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification
1
Iraq
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Advance to knockout stage
2
Australia
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
Thailand
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
China
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
· Statistics › Final ranking
1
1
Pos
1
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Final result
Champions
2
2
Pos
2
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Final result
Runner-up
3
3
Pos
3
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Final result
Third place
4
4
Pos
4
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Final result
Fourth place
5
5
Pos
5
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Final result
Eliminated inquarter-finals
6
6
Pos
6
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
7
7
Pos
7
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
8
8
Pos
8
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
9
9
Pos
9
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Final result
Eliminated ingroup stage
10
10
Pos
10
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
11
11
Pos
11
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
12
12
Pos
12
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
13
13
Pos
13
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
14
14
Pos
14
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
15
15
Pos
15
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
16
16
Pos
16
Pld
0
W
0
D
0
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
0
Pts
0
Pos
Grp
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Final result
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Champions
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Runner-up
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Third place
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Fourth place
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Eliminated inquarter-finals
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Eliminated ingroup stage
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
14
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
· Broadcasting rights
Australia
Australia
Territory
Australia
Rights holder
mw- .mw- .mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ol,.mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw-parser-output .hlist dd:last-child::after,.mw- .mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:first-child::before,.mw- .mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:last-child::after,.mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw-parser-output .hlist dd ol>li:first-child::before,.mw- Paramount+
Bangladesh,  Nepal,  Sri Lanka,  Bhutan,  Pakistan
Bangladesh,  Nepal,  Sri Lanka,  Bhutan,  Pakistan
Territory
Bangladesh,  Nepal,  Sri Lanka,  Bhutan,  Pakistan
Rights holder
tapmad
China
China
Territory
China
Rights holder
iQIYI Migu Video
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Territory
Hong Kong
Rights holder
HOY TV
India
India
Territory
India
Rights holder
FanCode
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea,  Timor-Leste
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea,  Timor-Leste
Territory
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea,  Timor-Leste
Rights holder
MNC Media
Japan
Japan
Territory
Japan
Rights holder
DAZN
South Korea
South Korea
Territory
South Korea
Rights holder
Coupang Play
Macau
Macau
Territory
Macau
Rights holder
Mplus TDM
Philippines
Philippines
Territory
Philippines
Rights holder
PFF (Facebook)
Qatar,  Bahrain,  Iraq,  Iran,  Jordan,  Kuwait,  Lebanon,  Oman,  Palestine,  Saudi Arabia,  Syria,  United Arab Emirates,  Yemen
Qatar,  Bahrain,  Iraq,  Iran,  Jordan,  Kuwait,  Lebanon,  Oman,  Palestine,  Saudi Arabia,  Syria,  United Arab Emirates,  Yemen
Territory
Qatar,  Bahrain,  Iraq,  Iran,  Jordan,  Kuwait,  Lebanon,  Oman,  Palestine,  Saudi Arabia,  Syria,  United Arab Emirates,  Yemen
Rights holder
beIN Sports Alkass
Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Territory
Tajikistan
Rights holder
Varzish TV
Thailand
Thailand
Territory
Thailand
Rights holder
BG Sports (YouTube)
Vietnam
Vietnam
Territory
Vietnam
Rights holder
TV360 VTV HTV FPT Play
Territory
Rights holder
Ref.
Australia
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Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan
tapmad
China
iQIYI Migu Video
Hong Kong
HOY TV
India
FanCode
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste
MNC Media
Japan
DAZN
South Korea
Coupang Play
Macau
Mplus TDM
Philippines
PFF (Facebook)
Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
beIN Sports Alkass
Tajikistan
Varzish TV
Thailand
BG Sports (YouTube)
Vietnam
TV360 VTV HTV FPT Play

References

  1. "AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions"
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_competitions/news/afc_competitions_committee_approves_key_decisions_on_reformatted_competitions_1.html
  2. the-afc.com
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/news/road-to-saudi-arabia-2026-glory-paved
  3. "Pivotal reforms approved by AFC Competitions Committee"
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/cfed/news/pivotal_reforms_approved_by_afc_competitions_committee.html
  4. the-afc.com
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/news/apan_edge_uzbekistan_to_lift_second_title.html
  5. english.news.cn
    https://english.news.cn/20240504/07e3d9867f774acc8d273bc1d075930e/c.html
  6. "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2025 - Jun 2026)"
    https://assets.the-afc.com/downloads/calendars/AFC-Competitions-Calendar-(Jul-2025---Jun-2026)-1-Dec-upd.pdf
  7. Asian Football Confederation
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/news/saudi-arabia-2026-qualifiers-groups-finalised
  8. the-afc.com
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/news/afcu23-the-stadiums-2
  9. the-afc.com
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/news/road-to-saudi-arabia-2026-glory-paved
  10. الاتحاد الآسيوي يحدد موعد قرعة كأس آسيا دون 23 عاماً في السعودية
    https://the-lfa.com.lb/news/AFCU23_drawD.php
  11. the-AFC.com
    https://assets.the-afc.com/downloads/tournament-regulations/15_May_2025_update/(Amended)-AFC-U23-Asian-Cup-Saudi-Arabia-2026-Competition-Regulations_nofax.pdf
  12. the-afc.com
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/where_to_watch.html
  13. vnexpress.net
    https://vnexpress.net/tv360-phat-song-bay-giai-bong-da-lon-nhat-chau-a-5000248.html
  14. the-afc.com
    https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news.html/news/viettel-appointed-official-media-partner-of-afc-competitions-in-vietnam?fbclid=IwY2xjawPFSXVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFZQkZsWXRrb29ESWxvMzdNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqwNuiQ5liVap3ug8U6Vo9dDFryZMD8R5v_LYKGoxgb7DhxSMZg5UvXB0vKy_aem_kymeiRPGZ9zywnTInAN9_g
  15. "🚨 [CHÍNH THỨC] HTV PHÁT SÓNG 3 GIẢI ĐẤU BÓNG ĐÁ ĐỈNH CAO CHÂU Á! 💥"
    https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1309007661263359&set=a.541258378038295
  16. thethaovanhoa,vn
    https://thethaovanhoa.vn/chinh-thuc-vtv-phat-song-truc-tiep-toan-bo-cac-tran-dau-tai-vck-u23-chau-a-2026-20260105200122625.htm
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